First, frontwoman Jemina Pearl talks about their label's deletion of three songs for "violence:"

I got a phone call from my manager, and she said that three of the songs had to be taken off the album because they were too violent and there was nothing we could do. We either had to change the lyrics or take them off the album. So we decided to take them off the album, and, since then, we've been struggling to figure out how to release these songs.
Universal's trying to make it a little bit difficult for [XL] to release it. But now it's coming out, so we're all pretty happy and excited about it.

The label also wanted the band to play Warped which led to this:

I just associate it with a certain look and a certain style and the kind of kids at school that I thought were-- this is really bad, I'm sure-- the kind of kids that were dumbasses wearing Rancid t-shirts who thought they knew what punk rock was and threw things at people in the cafeteria.

So it's like, okay, now we're going to be performing for these people. Our label is under the impression that we're going to play one date and then automatically sell 100,000 more records. All those bands have this very specific look and sound and style. It's like the new hair metal or something. There are like 10 different rules about how you write a song and what everything sounds like and looks like.

just associate it with a certain look and a certain style and the kind of kids at school that I thought were-- this is really bad, I'm sure-- the kind of kids that were dumbasses wearing Rancid t-shirts who thought they knew what punk rock was and threw things at people in the cafeteria.

I hate this cunt. Her and her band are EXACTLY what Warped is these days.

Dumbasses wearing Rancid shirts while bitching about how much the VANS Warped Tour has sold out and gone corporate and how shitty the lineup is compared to last year who then buy a ticket and go anyway = Warped 2008-forever

The whole idea of the publicity stunt is that the label "wont" put em out. I have to be honest, I didn't think there was a label that would complain about lyrics anymore. I thought this country was so desensitzed to violence that not only the tracks would be on there but that it would have a frame by frame of the stuff being talked about actually being done.

As I said in my previous post, they go just to bitch and cry about various things like how much their life sucks and how the government is holding them down even though they live at home and don't pay taxes then make fun of the emo kids for bitching and crying about various things like how much their life sucks and so on and so on.

I don't understand this at all - she says how against these things the band are but they're doing them?? I know there isn't a set definition of punk rock but she's an idiot - criticising the stereotypical warped tour kid but they're going to be playing for them.. If you're so against them don't play.

Saying you've been 'forced' is bullshit, if you don't want to do something don't do it - simple as, and if you're ultra punk rock then you'll know to 'fuck the system'!111111111111111111111111

actually, on second thought, more power to her. hopefully their appearance at warped yet disdain for the crowd and other bands will create some sort of swirling vortex of garbage that swallows up and destroys all these formally disparate but overall consistently terrible paint-by-numbers bands, paving the way for the resurrection of western addiction and none more black, who can dance on the ruins of the stupid stage and play a show at the church of black flag!

Coming from a fan:
I've gone to a few BYOP shows at this great 200 capacity venue with no barricade in Jersey... Jemina doesn't sing in the mic half the time and the show literally ONLY works because of the crowd and band energy. Them playing at Warped or any other festival for tha matter... I can't see it working at all.

I just listened to a couple of songs. While it's not the best of that sugar coated pop-punk that's so widespread they're still not as bad as lot of the other bands in that genre. It's not bad...it's not amazing but it's decent.

I very much understand what Jemina is saying about playing the Warped Tour. I'm in my 20's now and my tastes have changed considerably since highschool, but I used to hit up the Tour each year. I would get excited for bands like Rancid, Bad Religion and AFI pre-Sing the Sorrow, but that tour hasn't changed since and its what's killing it. You can predict the line-up each year just by looking at the prior year's line-up, taking half the bands from it and throwing in the other half of the bands who played two years ago. As for the crowd, you get what you pay for: A bunch of run-amuck highschoolers looking to pick a fight for the sake of getting attention, but what else is new these days with kids.

Food fight lyrics aside, BYOP have a much more mature appreciation for music compared to bands their age and it's going to be interesting to see how they grow artistically 5 to 10 years from now. I read a lot of people criticizing them for speaking out against their label for making them do the tour, but so what? At least they have got the gall to say it. When I first heard they were doing Warped, I thought they were just looking for a quick payday or wanting to become the next Paramore. Hearing this isn't the case makes me happy to see they have set higher standards for themselves than the rest of the bands on the Tour who've made the same record six times already. I can't really relate to BYOP's lyrics at my age, but I would have much rather hung out with them in highschool than with the kids who never got past listening to Rancid.

i think the point is that its pretty silly for a bunch of 17 year old kids to be ripping anybody for "not being punk" or whatever they want to call it. BYOP's music is as safe as it could possibly get. A little bit of pop-punk, a little bit of garage rock. Wow. You're so dangerous!. not to mention, it seems a bit obsurd to be calling kids out for throwing food when you're writing songs so "violent' that universal won't release them.

No it's crap. Say what you will about warped tour but they're not recycling the same bands (otherwise their wouldn't be the clashes between old and new bands, as has been reported, and 90% of punknews kids wouldn't say, "it was better 7 years ago").

As for BYOP, why should I be impressed that they're "speaking out against their label"? They signed the contract, they should know what they're getting. They didn't bitch when the label gave them an advance or paid for their recording, but ask you to play a spot on Warped Tour?! My god no! It's not like they're actually doing anything besides complaining anyhow. They're going to play, they're going to complain about it and then they're going to go on to do the next thing their label tells them to do and complain about it.

You got label issues (as they claim to have) do something about it. Why put out the "Censored" songs on a 7"? Why not give them away? Why not stick it back to your label? Oh right, because 95% of this is hype to feed the indie crowd fire.
-Dante

Here's my thoughts on them having to play the Warped Tour because of their label, though: I find it a bit odd that a band signed to Thurston Moore's label (still under Universal, I know) is being put in such an uncomfortable position. BYOP may not have signed to Ecstatic Peace if it were not for Thurston, a musician they admire, and I would think signing to his subsidiary would come with stronger creative perks. It sure seemed that way with their debut, and every other release on Ecstatic Peace. With this second release, it seems that Universal proper has had more control over BYOP's recordings than something on Ecstatic Peace normally should have. This may answer why tracks equally as "violent" and vulgar to those found on their debut were censored off "Get Awkward" and why they are being released separately for retail (Jemina does say Universal is still being troublesome with the XL release.)

And finally, my experiences at the Warped Tour have always been disappointing. Personally, I think festival tours are a thing of the past, which is why I think a less nu-emo and more punk version of Bamboozle is the way to go.

When I first heard about this band I was almost interested in looking into their music, but now I have heard so much bullshit about them that I am completely uninterested and almost irritated. You should have stopped while you were ahead. Were they ever ahead? I don't know and don't really care anymore. I guess I'm just hoping they see this.

Yeah, I hope someone from this band reads these comments, and do you know why? "I just associate (this comment board) with a certain look and a certain style and the kind of kids at school that I thought were -- this is really bad, I'm sure -- the kind of kids that were dumbasses wearing Rancid t-shirts who thought they knew what punk rock was and threw things at people in the cafeteria."

Don't forget the dude who loves Yellowcard. Or a certain Popeye lookalike that plays bass in a band whose name rhymes with Fun Sore Sack. Also all the people who got butthurt way out of proportion over the Slackers review.

Shit man, sorry it took me so long to reply. I just got back from a food fight at school, and then I had to wash my rancid t shirt I bought at warped tour 2000. But I'm here now though, and I just want to say that I admit that you're right.

the whole "pulled three songs thing because of violent content" thing is a publicity stunt. the band and label agreed to it ahead of time to launch them into the spotlight quickly, and its obviously working.

this is the 3rd time i heard this same story in three different forms of media. i read it in a magazine and heard it on the radio already. its easy publicity, and its intriguing to potential listeners.

ten bucks says those three songs come out on the same label that pulled them in like 3 months, along with a DVD and glossy inserts and free band member collector cards.

I'm honestly having a hard time contemplating all the hate for this band. They play hard, fast punk rock that's loud and really fun. I've seen them a few times and they just looked like goofy kids in thrift store clothing. As far as I can tell, their biggest sins are having a female singer who isn't afraid to call bullshit the Warped Tour. That, and they don't have any skateboard clothing sponsorships.

All I can say is right on. This band is so much fucking fun and I firmly believe that if they had a male singer and changed nothing else, they'd be hailed as the second-coming of the Descendents (listen to the new disc--its basically "Milo Goes to College" from a female perspective)

All you guys on this board saying "fucking bitch, stupid cunt... but I'd fuck her" are just showing your asses and the sexist shits you are on this circle jerk of a bulletin board. Go suck yourselves off and listen to some metalcore.

You know you want inside the lead singer's pants. You want to stick your hand under her skirt and wiggle away. You want to take her to dinner with hopes of getting fucked. You're thinking about her nude right now. I bet you practice fondling her tits. Your pillow has nightmares because of the things you did to it pretending it was her. I bet you put a wig on your dog and spooned with it. You are a sick freak. Get out of here now. I can't believe you.

"I'm honestly having a hard time contemplating all the hate for this band"

It's called not thinking for yourself. That and most everybody who commented are probably warped tour regulars. I've seen them live a few times and they're a blast. They almost sound like....a punk band!

actually, i think the warped tour is pretty ridiculous. even nine or ten years ago when it thad a ton of bands i loved playing, it was silly. to be honest though, i think its ridiculous for a band full of 17 year old kids playing the safest music possible (what "Milo Goes to College" have you heard?) to be calling anybody out on anything.

if you don't want to play warped, don't play it. if you don't want kids who wear rancid t-shirts or throw food, don't write music so violent that universal won't release it.

seems like these kids have the most cliche indie mentality possible, and the most cliche, obvious sound possible as well. do something dangerous and different. pop punk and garage rock are like the new nu metal.

This dumbass probably wouldn't even have a career if it wasn't for things like the Warped Tour and Rancid. They drew attention from major labels based on their independent success; the majors in turn, started handing out contracts to any group of guitar-toting, punk-minded/ indy-influenced 18 year-olds that came along. I haven't had affinity for Warped for a decade, but I've liked Rancid for almost 15 years, and throwing shit at theater nerds like her was fun in high school. It is pretentious, "fashion/scene" oriented hipsters craving fame and money that have ruined modern music. There is no alternative anymore because of charlatans like her.

You don't want to perform or listen to your major label, who is shoving so much cash up your ass you're probably talking all of this out of your nose.

Why did you sign? There are thousands of bands that would have at it just to be able to play in front of that many people, regardless of what they played or who they were. Fuck your whining, and let one of those bands play.

At least they have the balls to play in front of an audience they dislike.

You don't want to perform or listen to your major label, who is shoving so much cash up your ass you're probably talking all of this out of your nose.

Why did you sign? There are thousands of bands that would have at it just to be able to play in front of that many people, regardless of what they played or who they were. Fuck your whining, and let one of those bands play.

At least they have the balls to play in front of an audience they dislike.

In all fairness, the warped tour is for complete faggots (not of the gay nature, just the really bad taste in music nature). This band is a lot of fun, and while not "punk", are certainly more punk than whatever epitaph is putting out these days.

There's an attitude of complete rudeness, or smugness or snobbery in every sentence of those extracts. She just seems unpleasant, but then, so did the interviewer. That comment about helping the "kids in Rancid t-shirts" "turn out a little better" is just... ugh. I'm hardly the biggest Rancid fan, but I'd hazard a guess and say that there are plenty of kids who wear their t-shirts and aren't insufferable enough to not only look their gift horses in the mouth, but to spit in them also.

Oh, and Jemima Pearl is totally the sort of name I would have wished I had when I was like, nine.

In conclusion, here is what I learned from all these comments, and don't bother reading this if you're going to reply "I don't have time to read all this."

1) So-called "punks" are still as close-minded as ever once they see a band with a major label logo associated with their names.

2) Most people on here can't read or choose not to listen, since its been stated multiple times within posts and replies that BYOP are on Ecstatic Peace, a subsidary of Universal, which is ran by Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore. Everyone who is crying foul on BYOP for whining when they are getting paid major label money should do some research on Thurston Moore, and why he operates the Ecstatic Peace label. In the end, you'll hopefully realize its a much different label compared to the rest of Universal, and that the cut tracks and Warped Tour dates are something the band didn't sign up for, but has to swallow their pride on. It doesn't mean they still can't be a pain in Universal's ass about it, though. It sucks to hear, but ask artists like Nas and Trent Reznor who've done their share of bending over to please the label.

3) If you think the cut album tracks are a publicity stunt, once again, do your research. The tracks were cut at the 11th hour before the album's release. However, they are still available on the UK version and they were also readily available on the band's MySpace page for quite some time after the issue came to light. Label greed and rights over their songs is the likely reason these tracks are being released, as Universal is probably getting some money off of it.

4) On top of this, for those of you who think calling the tracks "violent" sounds lame, listen to the lyrics from the perspective of a big business record label. The lyrics mention bringing knives to school, and killing people. With an over-reactive, hypersensitive attitude towards music, movies and tv since Columbine spanning all the way to last year's Virgina Tech Massacre, it's not surprising that Universal wasn't willing to risk a fledgling teenage band on their roster being held responsible for sending out the wrong message (even though I am 100% sure BYOP was using irony and sarcasm like they always do.)

4) Someone on here apparently thinks BYOP were influenced by Rancid and other Warped Tour bands. A pretty far-off misconception, seeing they are more along the lines of The Stooges, Descendants and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. That said, there's more angst in Jemina Pearl's teenage voice than some of the "punk" I've heard lately.

5) I don't even like BYOP all that much, but I would rather side with their "thinking punk" attitudes than with the "highschooler punk" opinions that assumedly were written by 16-year olds (or people who still have 16-year old mindsets) rocking out to the latest Pennywise.

I have never once in my life felt it necessary to support an argument by bringing Columbine or any other student massacre into it. I wonder if it's because I can always find better/more logical support for my beliefs?

My argument is perfectly logical and you need to be more realistic about the world we live in and business practices. When there is a lyric sang by an 18 year old girl that says something like, "I'll be waiting for you with a knife after school," you know some straight-laced necktie up in Universal corporate is sounding the alarm to protect themselves from future damage control.

Thanks for the lesson. I'm glad to see there is someone out there with enough intelligence and confidence to break down realism, business practices, and the world we live in into a one sentence summary. Bravo.

4) Someone on here apparently thinks BYOP were influenced by Rancid and other Warped Tour bands. A pretty far-off misconception, seeing they are more along the lines of The Stooges, Descendants and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. That said, there's more angst in Jemina Pearl's teenage voice than some of the "punk" I've heard lately.

You mean other bands who play warped? Because every band in said numbered statement has played Warped I believe.

No, sorry wrong again, kids. None of the bands I named have ever played The Warped Tour. This is exactly why I used them as examples because I think they have a more artistic punk influence than say an MxPx, Pennywise or NOFX.

And yeah, Thurston Moore's label -- It's a major, but speaking from a hunch, I speculate that Universal is keep a closer on this Ecstatic Peace release more so than they usually do because BYOP is pretty much the only non-experimental noise bands on the subsidiary's roster and it can earn them money. Most people probably can't even name another artist even on the label.

Decendents did in '97. They do it with an E and I saw them on Warped in '97. I am fairly sure Iggy did a couple of dates in 04 or 05 and you might have me on the Yeah Yeah Yeahs but I think they played a few dates in 2004 as well. Wrong on Milo and the Boys though for sure.

Well, in your second #4 I think you were referring to my comment. I wasn't saying in anyway that I think this band was directly influenced by rancid or the warped tour. I was only saying that no one would have paid any attention to a band like this in the late 90's and that it was things like the warped tour and the popularity of bands like rancid that garnered attention from major labels at that time. Without that attention, "indy" music like this would have languished on college radio and gone unheard. So, given that chain of events, I take issue with the arrogant comments of some naive revivalist hipster that needs to realize that she's as close to rancid as iggy and the descendants on the evolutionary chain of punk rawk!

I'm just trying to play devil's advocate here, and I've enjoyed reading everyone's responses even if some came with more "fuck you" than others. I don't even like BYOP really but after giving it some thought and seeing everyone's feelings about them, I can see they're being pretentious about playing a tour that should have otherwise been ideal for them (Pitchfork even said it themselves.) Who knows what really goes on with major label trickery, as well. Thanks everyone.

Who does this little girl think she is? Apparenty she hadn't heard that dozens of bands just like hers play warped every year. The ego on that bitch is outrageous. Get off the major or stop fucking complaining. The label probably didn't even tell them those songs couldnt be on there. They probably just wanted to hype em up.

remember when chico of the deftones came out about ozzfest and said something to the gist of "we're the best band on this tour, everyone else sucks.. and theyre lucky to have us." -this reminds me of that (except that i've never heard of her band.. and i consider 'white pony' to be one of the better albums of our generation.. and this person will die in the same obscurity she was born into.)

i'm actually going to warped and ive never owned a rancid tshirt in my life.

look, the drummer quit when they signed with Universal AND HE STARTED THE BAND. Their first single was great, it's been all downhill from there. You feed from the corporate trough, you can't complain about the food.

Alright, so let me get my facts straight before I offend any more people: BYOP is on Ecstatic Peace, a subsidiary of Universal. Then, they further signed with Universal but still maintained the Ecstatic Peace label on their second album but really are just full-blown Universal now? If so, that explains why they have become more corporate puppetry for Universal than when they supported the first release. I wrote a shitload above as you can see trying to make sense of why Jamina said what she said and why the band feels like they do because I believe in giving major label bands with polarizing audiences the benefit of the doubt (I stood by Against Me!'s New Wave, for instance) but I would have to backpeddle and eat some of my words if this is case (because "you feed from the corporate trough, you can't complain about the food.")

I remember when the toured for their debut, they were playing some pretty cool shows in independent venues and small collectives in my neck of the woods. Its not been cool to see them on a Nylon Magazine package tour with She Wants Revenge. I think they'll add some color to the Warped Tour, but who is going to want to see them when they've dissed any potential new fans.